MBC Applied Environmental Sciences

 

                                           Sustainable Practices

                                    Environmental "Green" Policy

 

 

 

MBC Applied Environmental Sciences (MBC) recognizes that our work may have a direct or indirect effect on the local, regional, and global environment. 

MBC is committed to reducing any harmful effects on the environment and promoting the understanding of sustainability in its broadest context.

 

MBC’s policy is comprised of the following four components: 

  • Purchasing / Waste Reduction / Recycling
  • Energy and Water Saving
  • Travel
  • Hygiene. Health, and Safety

 

The following describes the steps taken and potential target items to comply with this policy.

 

Purchasing / Waste Reduction / Recycling

 

It is most effective to minimize waste at its source. All purchasing decisions should take into account the environmental factors involved in production, use, and disposal of the product (whenever possible). 

MBC will purchase recycled content and environmentally preferable products unless such products do not perform satisfactorily and/or are unreasonably expensive. Current efforts include:

 

Purchasing / Waste Reduction

  • Copy and printer paper – shall contain a minimum of 30 percent post-consumer recycled content
  • Remanufactured laser printer toner cartridges and remanufactured or refillable inkjet cartridges
  • Paper plates and bowls - 30% post-consumer recycled content
  • Send and store information electronically when possible (including e-mail, web site, and electronic fax)
  • Reuse boxes and packing materials for shipping and storage (whenever possible)
  • Use internet ordering and combine orders when possible to limit travel to local stores

 

Recycling

  • Boxes, cardboard, copy and printer paper, newspaper, cans, glass and plastic bottles, catalogs, promotional materials, mailings
  • Laser toner and inkjet cartridges
  • Batteries
  • Old retired files are shredded and recycled – not sent to landfill
  • Old computers, printers, and electronics
  • Old fluorescent light tubes
  • Sample preservatives (i.e. isopropyl alcohol and ethanol)

 

 

Energy and Water Saving

 

Energy production consumes valuable non-renewable resources and causes massive pollution. Water is a valuable commodity in southern California due to our continuing drought conditions.

Current efforts include:

 

Energy Saving

 

  • Replacing older T-12 fluorescent lighting and ballasts with energy–efficient T-8 bulbs and ballasts (80 to 90%) completed
  • Utilizing Enviro-Safe TCLP compliant low mercury fluorescent lamps (wherever possible) in the remaining fixtures (above)
  • Rewiring office and laboratory space to allow ½ of the lights to be turned off during lower need or occupancy periods (100% complete)
  • Turning off lights and equipment when not in use
  • Replacing incandescent lights and flood lamps with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) (75% complete)
  • Replacing manual light switches with timed switches or “occupancy sensor” switches (50% complete)
  • Replacing thermostats (HVAC) with programmable thermostats and maintaining temperatures at recommended levels (i.e. heating to 68 °F and cooling to 78 °F)
  • Installing screen doors to minimize air conditioning use
  • Replaced old HVAC unit with new energy-efficient YORK unit (1 of 3)
  • Setting defaults to turn off or “hibernate” computers and monitors after 1 hour of inactivity
  • Utilizing motion sensors for outdoor lights

 

Water Saving

 

  • Fill sink or bucket with water when cleaning equipment, gear, vehicles, or vessels
  • Use hose with shut-off sprayer when a bucket can not be used
  • Repair water leaks when first noticed
  • Notify landscape maintenance company if automatic sprinklers are malfunctioning or causing run-off

 

Travel

 

MBC’s goal is to reduce the impact of vehicle emissions by encouraging the application of sustainable principles to traveling by combining field surveys and arranging meetings.

 

  • Use of MBC’s hybrid vehicle whenever possible
  • Sharing company vehicles to get to work site
  • Voluntary ride sharing to office

 

Hygiene, Health, and Safety

 

While conforming to industrial safety legislation, all work places should acknowledge the worker’s need for an acceptable working environment and should implement greener practices whenever possible.

 

  • No smoking policy
  • Use of “green” cleaning products
  • Use of “green” insect control products
  • Use “Biosolve”  to neutralize the toxic properties of formalin

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Updated 25 March 2010